High-end tourists and visitors to Sri Lanka are in for a high-flying treat thanks to helicopter operator Simplify’s decision to add the advanced 10-seater Bell 230 helicopter (pictured above) to its fleet.

Veteran Aussie blogger Nicola, of Polkadot Passport fame, asks: “What do you get when you put together a dazzling mirage of pristine white-sanded beaches, the endless green rolling hills of tea plantations, and the wildlife diversity of an African Safari?”

Sri Lanka is renowned as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean—so imagine the celebrations if this truly enormous record-breaking gem had been found in our waters! Sadly, it wasn’t. This 34kg giant was found by a fisherman off the coast of Palawan Island, Philippines. Ah, well!

Sri Lanka’s ace foodie mag and website YAMU* has gone big on the upcoming Colombo Gourmet Week, “a chic blend of two delicious factors: top imported wines from some of the world’s top terroirs, and intricately curated course meals and tapas”.